Trump Warns NFL Facing 'Beginning of the End' Over New Kickoff Rule
Former President Donald Trump has criticized the NFL's new kickoff rule, describing it as the "beginning of the end" for the league. The rule, implemented for the 2024 season, aims to reduce high-speed collisions and injuries by changing how kickoffs are executed. Players from the kicking team must now line up with a foot on the receiving team's 40-yard line and can only start running after the ball hits the ground or enters the "landing zone" or end zone. The rule change is inspired by the XFL's kickoff regulations and seeks to encourage more returns.
The NFL has stated that the new rule is intended to make the game safer and more dynamic by promoting more kickoff returns. However, the change has led to confusion among fans and has been met with disapproval from Trump, who believes it diminishes the excitement of kickoff returns. The league introduced the rule in response to concerns about injury rates and hopes it will reduce the number of high-speed collisions. Despite the criticism, the NFL reported a significant increase in the return rate during the preseason.
